Pallet

ABSTRACT

An improved pallet may include a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each be positioned along a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall. One or more ground contacting legs may be coupled to or integrated in the first sidewall and to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A second deck edge may also be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Preferably, the pallet may comprise one or more sidewall recessed pockets which may be coupled to or positioned along at least one sidewall and/or one or more edge recessed pockets which may be coupled to at least one deck edge.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/666,437, filed on May 3, 2018,entitled “PALLET WITH RECESSED LOCATIONS”, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of material transportingequipment and devices. More specifically, the invention relates toimproved pallets for use with transporting devices such pallet jacks asforklifts.

BACKGROUND

Pallets are commonly used to secure durable goods during transportbetween various locations. Typically, a pallet comprises a square orrectangular load bearing surface or deck configured to receive goods forstorage and transport. Sidewalls with ground contacting legs extendvertically below the deck forming a space or cavity suitable to engagevarious types of pallet transporting equipment such as hand pallettrucks, Walkie Pallet Jacks, forklifts, and the like. Pallettransportation equipment commonly includes two elongated forks known as“tines” which are inserted under the pallet deck and into the palletcavity to raise the pallet off of the ground for transportation.

Recently, pallets with narrow elongated decks and high profile designshave become common place. These high profile pallets may have supportdecks which are 6 inches or higher above the ground. While advantageousin certain environments, the high profile design of these new palletspose an inherent design issue that prevents them from being loaded ontoa trailer to maximize cube utilization. Companies that utilize narrowhigh profile design (HPD) pallets currently shrink-wrap pallets, aplastic film that wraps the pallet load which helps contain the load tothe pallet deck during transport. Also, companies attach straps equippedwith hooks and e-track receivers to the sidewalls of HPD pallets whichcauses problems during transport. These pallets are loaded side by sidein trailers which causes hooks and e-track hardware become entangledwith one another as they are loaded and unloaded from the trailer. Inaddition, when pallet are loaded and placed further apart to prevent theabove issue the cube utilization of the trailer goes down and operationcosts rise.

Therefore, a need exists for improved pallets that has a containmentdesign that can easily be adaptable to the various containment systemsand equipment that are on the market today.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved pallet is provided. In some embodiments, the pallet mayinclude a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lowerground facing surface that may each be coupled to a first sidewall andan opposingly positioned second sidewall. A first and a second groundcontacting leg may be coupled to the first sidewall, and a third and afourth ground contacting leg may be coupled to the second sidewall. Afirst deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extendbetween the first sidewall and second sidewall. A second deck edge maybe coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly positioned to thefirst deck edge, and the second edge may extend between the firstsidewall and second sidewall. A first sidewall recessed pocket may becoupled to the first sidewall. A second sidewall recessed pocket may becoupled to the second sidewall, and the second sidewall recessed pocketmay be aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket.

In further embodiments, the pallet may include a support deck with anupper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that mayeach be coupled to a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned secondsidewall. A first and a second ground contacting leg may be coupled tothe first sidewall, and a third and a fourth ground contacting leg maybe coupled to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled tothe support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and secondsidewall. A second deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and maybe opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge mayextend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A first sidewallrecessed pocket may be coupled to the first sidewall. A second sidewallrecessed pocket may be coupled to the second sidewall, and the secondsidewall recessed pocket may be aligned with the first sidewall recessedpocket. A first edge recessed pocket may be coupled to the first deckedge, and a second edge recessed pocket coupled to the second deck edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an example of an improvedpallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first side elevation view of an example of animproved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a second side elevation view of an example of an improvedpallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a front elevation view of an example of an improvedpallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevation view of an example of an improvedpallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a recessed pocket of animproved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG. 6, elevationview of an example of a recessed pocket according to various embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another example of a recessedpocket of an improved pallet according to various embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional, through line 9-9 shown in FIG. 8, elevationview of an example of a recessed pocket according to various embodimentsdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”,“right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.However, one will understand that the invention may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describevarious elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from anotherelement. For example, the first element may be designated as the secondelement, and the second element may be likewise designated as the firstelement without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially”means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desiredvalue, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value andespecially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable,element or limit set forth herein.

A new pallet for material transporting is discussed herein. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled inthe art that the present invention may be practiced without thesespecific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and throughreferencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternativeembodiments. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples of an improved pallet (“thepallet”) 100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, thepallet 100 may comprise a support deck 16 with an upper load contactingsurface 13 and a lower ground facing surface 12 that may each be coupledto or integrated with a first sidewall 18A and an opposingly positionedsecond sidewall 18B. One or more ground contacting legs 15 may becoupled to or integrated with the first sidewall 18A, and one or moreground contacting legs 15 may also be coupled to or integrated with thesecond sidewall 18B. A first deck edge 16A may be coupled to or part ofthe support deck 16 and may extend between the first sidewall 18A andthe second sidewall 18B. A second deck edge 16B may also be coupled toor be part of the support deck 16 and may be opposingly positioned tothe first deck edge 16A, and the second edge 16B may extend between thefirst sidewall 18A and the second sidewall 18B. Preferably, the pallet100 may comprise one or more sidewall recessed pockets 17A which may becoupled to or formed in the support deck 16 or in at least one sidewall18A, 18B, and/or one or more edge recessed pockets 17B which may becoupled to or formed in at least one deck edge 16A, 16B.

Generally, a pallet 100 may be configured to support one or more objectson an upper load contacting surface 13 of the support deck 16. One ormore, such as six, ground contacting legs 15 may be coupled to orintegrated with the sidewalls 18A, 18B, and may be configured to supportthe support deck 16 above a ground surface. The ground contacting legs15 may be configured in any shape and size.

In preferred embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more accesschannels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26, and the ground contacting legs 15 maybe configured to support the support deck 16 above a ground surface sothat the tines of a pallet moving device may be inserted into the accesschannels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26, and used to lift and otherwisemanipulate the pallet 100. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 maycomprise a first standard lateral access channel 24A and a secondstandard lateral access channel 24B. The standard lateral accesschannels 24A, 24B, may be positioned between the ground contacting legs15. A tine support edge 14 may be coupled to each sidewall 18A, 18B, ineach standard lateral access channel 24A, 24B, so that the tines of apallet moving device inserted into the standard lateral access channels24A, 24B, may be contacted by the four tine support edges 14 when thepallet 100 is lifted by the pallet moving device.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first narrow lateralaccess channel 25A and a second narrow lateral access channel 25B. Thenarrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may also be positioned betweenthe ground contacting legs 15, but the narrow lateral access channels25A, 25B, may preferably be positioned closer to each other than thestandard lateral access channels 24A, 24B. A narrow tine support edge14A may be coupled to each sidewall 18A, 18B, in each narrow lateralaccess channel 25A, 25B, so that the tines of a narrow pallet movingdevice inserted into the narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may becontacted by the four narrow tine support edges 14A when the pallet 100is lifted by the narrow pallet moving device.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or morelongitudinal access channels 26. The longitudinal access channels 26 mayalso be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15, but may beoriented generally perpendicular to the lateral access channels 24A,24B, 25A, 25B, so as to extend between the deck edges 16A, 16B.Preferably, the tines of a pallet moving device or narrow pallet movingdevice inserted into the longitudinal access channels 26 may becontacted by the lower ground facing surface 12 or other surface orelement when the pallet 100 is lifted by the pallet moving device ornarrow pallet moving device.

The pallet 100 may comprise one or more recessed pockets 17A, 17B, whichmay be positioned anywhere on the pallet 100. In preferred embodiments,one or more sidewall recessed pockets 17A may be coupled to one or moresidewalls 18A, 18B, and/or one or more edge recessed pockets 17B may becoupled to one or more deck edges 16A, 16B.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first sidewallrecessed pocket 17A that may be coupled to the first sidewall 18A and asecond sidewall recessed pocket 17A that may be coupled to the secondsidewall 18B, and the second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be alignedwith the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A. Two sidewall recessedpockets 17A may be aligned with each other so that a first sidewallrecessed pocket 17A on the first sidewall 18A may be approximately thesame distance from the deck edges 16A, 16B, as the first sidewallrecessed pocket 17A on the second sidewall 18A is from the deck edges16A, 16B, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1. In preferred embodiments, afirst sidewall 18A may comprise or be coupled to two sidewall recessedpockets 17A, and a second sidewall 18B may also comprise or be coupledto two sidewall recessed pockets 17A.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first edge recessedpocket 17B that may be coupled to the first deck edge 16A and a secondedge recessed pocket 17B that may be coupled to the second deck edge16B, and the second edge recessed pocket 17B may be aligned with thefirst edge recessed pocket 17B. Two edge recessed pockets 17B may bealigned with each other so that a first edge recessed pocket 17B on thefirst deck edge 16A may be approximately the same distance from thesidewalls 18A, 18B, as the first edge recessed pocket 17B on the seconddeck edge 16B is from the sidewalls 18A, 18B, as perhaps best shown inFIG. 1. In preferred embodiments, a first deck edge 16A may comprise orbe coupled to two edge recessed pockets 17B, and a second deck edge 16Bmay also comprise or be coupled to two edge recessed pockets 17B.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first sidewallrecessed pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a secondsidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and thesecond sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the firstsidewall recessed pocket 17A. In further embodiments, the pallet 100 mayinclude a first standard lateral access channel 24A, and the firstsidewall recessed pocket 17A and second sidewall recessed pocket 17A maybe positioned above the first standard lateral access channel 24A. Instill further embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a third sidewallrecessed pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a fourthsidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and thethird sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the fourthsidewall recessed pocket 17A. In yet further embodiments, the pallet 100may include a second standard lateral access channel 24B, and the thirdsidewall recessed pocket 17A and fourth sidewall recessed pocket 17A maybe positioned above the second standard lateral access channel 24B.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9 and in preferred embodiments, asidewall recessed pocket 17A and an edge recessed pocket 17B may beconfigured substantially similar to each other with a sidewall recessedpocket 17A coupled to a sidewall 18A, 18B, and an edge recessed pocket17B coupled to a deck edge 16A, 16B.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a verticalbackplate 20 which may be coupled to a horizontal shelf 21. Preferably,a vertical backplate 20 and/or a horizontal shelf 21 may comprise agenerally planar shape, although a vertical backplate 20 and/or ahorizontal shelf 21 may be configured in any shape and size. Generally,a horizontal shelf 21 may be recessed below the upper load contactingsurface 13 of a support deck 16, and a vertical backplate 20 may berecessed into or below the surface of a sidewall 18A, 18B, or deck edge16A, 16B, depending on if the vertical backplate 20 is part of asidewall recessed pocket 17A or an edge recessed pocket 17B,respectively.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise one ormore slots 22, such as one or more vertical vertical slots 22A and/orone or more horizontal slots 22B. Generally, a slot 22 may be configuredas an opening which may lead to a cavity 27. In some embodiments, a slot22 and a cavity 27 may comprise approximately the same dimensions. Inother embodiments, a cavity 27 may be larger than a slot 22 so thatportions of cargo securing hardware, such as surcingles, e-trackreceiver anchors, hook receivers, release buckle receivers hooks, etc.,may be inserted into the cavity 27 via the slot 22 and then turned orotherwise actuated to removably couple the cargo securing hardware inthe cavity 27 and slot 22.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise ahorizontal slot 22B which may be positioned or disposed in a horizontalshelf 21. In further embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, maycomprise a horizontal slot 22B which may be centrally positioned in ahorizontal shelf 21 as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9. In someembodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a vertical slot22A which may be positioned or disposed in a vertical backplate 20. Infurther embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a verticalslot 22A which may be centrally positioned in a vertical backplate 20 asperhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments and as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontalslot 22B and a vertical slot 22A, and the horizontal slot 22B andvertical slot 22A may be in communication with each other. In furtherembodiments, and as shown in FIG. 9, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, maycomprise a horizontal slot 22B and a vertical slot 22A, and the cavities27 of the horizontal slot 22B and vertical slot 22A may be incommunication with each other. It is to be understood any vertical slot22A and horizontal slot 22B of the pallet 100 may be positioned atvarious angles along its vertical backplate 20 or horizontal shelf 21,respectively.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements ofthe pallet 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in theart that a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, vertical backplate 20, horizontalshelf 21, vertical slot 22A, horizontal slot 22B, and any other elementdescribed herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapesincluding “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped,cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prismshaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, includingcombinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all thepossible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of theinvention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes usedherein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that variouschanges, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in otherembodiments, the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be made fromor may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metalsand metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforcedplastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any othersuitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally,one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable andslightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, softrubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations ofmaterials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements thatcomprise the pallet 100 may be coupled or connected together with heatbonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip typefasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types offasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments,one or more of the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be coupledor removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by oneor more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners,magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue andgroove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp typefasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connectionmethod, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock typeconnection method or any other suitable temporary connection method asone reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the samefunction. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements thatcomprise the pallet 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to andintegrally formed with another element of the pallet 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplatedthereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved pallet, the pallet comprising: asupport deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower groundfacing surface; a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned secondsidewall each extending downward from the support deck; a first and asecond ground contacting leg positioned along the first sidewall; athird and a fourth ground contacting leg positioned along the secondsidewall; a first deck edge coupled to the support deck and extendingbetween the first sidewall and second sidewall; a second deck edgecoupled to the support deck and opposingly positioned to the first deckedge, the second edge extending between the first sidewall and secondsidewall; a first sidewall recessed pocket positioned within the firstsidewall below the upper load contacting surface; and a second sidewallrecessed pocket positioned within second sidewall below the upper loadcontacting surface, the second sidewall recessed pocket aligned with andoppositely positioned to the first sidewall recessed pocket.
 2. Thepallet of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket and thesecond sidewall recess pocket each comprise a vertical backplate coupledto a horizontal shelf.
 3. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the firstsidewall recessed pocket and the second sidewall recess pocket eachcomprise a slot, the slot being selected from the group consisting of; ahorizontal slot and a vertical slot.
 4. The pallet of claim 2, whereinthe first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot.
 5. Thepallet of claim 4, wherein the horizontal slot is centrally positionedin the horizontal shelf.
 6. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the firstsidewall recessed pocket comprises a vertical slot.
 7. The pallet ofclaim 6, wherein the vertical slot is centrally positioned in thevertical backplate.
 8. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewallrecessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, andwherein the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication witheach other.
 9. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising a firststandard lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessedpocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above thefirst standard lateral access channel.
 10. The pallet of claim 9,further comprising a third sidewall recessed pocket positioned withinthe first sidewall and further comprising a fourth sidewall recessedpocket positioned within the second sidewall, the third sidewallrecessed pocket aligned with the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, andfurther comprising a second standard lateral access channel, wherein thethird sidewall recessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket arepositioned above the second standard lateral access channel.
 11. Animproved pallet, the pallet comprising: a support deck with an upperload contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface; a firstsidewall extending below a first side of the support deck and anopposingly positioned second sidewall extending below a second side ofthe support deck; a first and a second ground contacting leg coupled tothe first sidewall; a third and a fourth ground contacting leg coupledto the second sidewall; a first deck edge running along the support deckand extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall; a seconddeck edge running along the support deck and opposingly positioned tothe first deck edge, the second edge extending between the firstsidewall and second sidewall; a first sidewall recessed pocketpositioned along the first sidewall; a second sidewall recessed pocketpositioned along the second sidewall, the second sidewall recessedpocket aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket; a first edgerecessed pocket positioned along the first deck edge; and a second edgerecessed pocket positioned along the second deck edge.
 12. The pallet ofclaim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket, the secondsidewall recess pocket, the first edge recessed pocket, and the secondedge recessed pocket each comprise a vertical backplate coupled to ahorizontal shelf.
 13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein the first sidewallrecessed pocket, the second sidewall recess pocket, the first edgerecessed pocket, and the second edge recessed pocket each comprise aslot, the slot is selected from the group consisting of; a horizontalslot and a vertical slot.
 14. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the firstsidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot.
 15. The pallet ofclaim 14, wherein the horizontal slot is centrally positioned in thehorizontal shelf.
 16. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewallrecessed pocket comprises a vertical slot.
 17. The pallet of claim 16,wherein the vertical slot is centrally positioned in the verticalbackplate.
 18. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewallrecessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, andwherein the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication witheach other.
 19. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising a firststandard lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessedpocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above thefirst standard lateral access channel.
 20. The pallet of claim 11,further comprising a third sidewall recessed pocket positioned along thefirst sidewall, further comprising a fourth sidewall recessed pocketpositioned along the second sidewall, the third sidewall recessed pocketaligned with the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, and further comprisinga second standard lateral access channel, wherein the third sidewallrecessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket are positioned abovethe second standard lateral access channel.